In trouble for not wearing sunscreen

[Insta-Gator]

Hi all,
I need some help

The Minister for Finance and War has given a two no Dive penalty for not applying sunscreen, I tried to explain to her that it is bad for the environment and can get in your eyes and it stings, she then threatened and 4 week penalty for answering back.

Recommendation for Sunscreen that is easily available in Oz would be appreciated.

I have tried email the suppliers of products recommended by PADI but I have had no response.


Thank

Take the penalty and go diving. When the weather turns bad, you can try to make amends. By then, she may be missing you.

 

[3D diver]

Hi 3D dive
The Minister for Finance and War in Australia has absolute power to impose such penalties and some much more severe as they also go by another title The Wife

LOL...I just figured that out...d'oh! I had visions of some kind of government diving position. Honestly, I'm not always an idiot. :blush:

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Carlos Danger gave agood link to environmentally freindlysunscreens above and also PADi site (kep trying).

It may seem a bit of a joke to those living outside Australia but having lost a friend to cancer (skin cancer caused by too much sunbaking in her youth) and having had 2 suspect melanoma cut out when I was younger (that’s the trouble working on the boats for years, as sunscreen wears off and you just don’t bother replacing it - young and invincible) I can assure you it’s not a joke.

Nor is the damage to the environment. We ask all customers on the boats NOT to handle sea life on dives. Not only is it against GBR Marine Park Authority regulations, but the sunscreen on your hands can severely damage sea life. You have to get sunscreen that does not contain zinc oxide, mineral oil (petroleum), and titanium dioxide as these chemicals are not biodegradable (or are extremely slow to degrade) and are linked to coral damage. If you really want to try and go all out to avoid bad chemicals then avoid sun screens with sunscreen chemicals that caused coral bleaching. They are: butylparaben (a preservative), oxybenzone (a sunscreen), octinoxate (a sunscreen) and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (a sunscreen). If your sunscreen has any of these ingredients you are possibly harming coral.

All we do is use sun screen in between dives, then wash our hands and faces just before a dive (don’t want that stuff all over your mask and sometimes we are touching corals with students etc. Not perfect but it’s a start

Here is a few we use:

Loving Naturals SPF 30
Badger Sunscreen Cream, Unscented

 

[DBF]

I have tried to find locally, most of those product and have had no success but I spoke to a retired industrial Chemist last night who also dives and the advice that he gave me was to use a mineral based product, carry wipes and remove it before a dive, he recommended Invisible Zinc Junior Clip-On as it is Low impact, easy to find and not overpriced. He also suggested I Google the chemicals that are on the back of sunscreen, some are not very good for people and the environment.

Home | Invisible Zinc

 

[Cpt_Smooth]

An alternative to sunscreen is to get yourself some clothes that cover more of your skin. I always wear my long sleeve rashie even when diving in a spring suit - keeps the arms and neck covered without the need for sunscreen.

I'm thinking of getting a hoodie soon for the same reason, especially now that I'm getting a little older and the hair cover isn't quite what it used to be.

 

[bettaninja]

I came across this when we went on a trip to Akumal, Mexico which is part of the Mayan Riviera. I was on some Akumal forums and I read that you are not allowed to wear normal sunscreen, you had to buy biodegradable sunscreen. There are a few articles on why people should use biodegradable sunscreen.

Unfortunately biodegradable sunscreen seems to be hard to find. I did come across this brand (Soleo) as one that is accepted as biodegradable and it looks like it is sold via WholeFoods in Melbourne, which also sells it online - you'd have to check if it is the same brand as there was no picture available on WholeFoods online.
Soléo Organic Sunscreens
Sunscreen